Dear Sharif of Lebanon,
As-salamu alaykum and welcome to the forum!
Just to kindly note, I have also received a similar query from you, forwarded to my email address and I trust, that my response to you on this forum will kindly suffice, God willing.
From my humble perspective of the Quran, if verse 5:31 is read in conjunction with verse 5:32, it is evident that the circumstances surrounding verse 5:31 sets a universal edict and the basis of a precedent which also forms the prescription for the Children of Israel. Hence the phrase
'min ajli dhalika' which broadly translates as
'from that time ...' strongly implies that the principle ordained on the Children of Israel was something that
preceded them finding genesis in the case of the first ever murder committed between humans (Adam's sons).
The Quran further acknowledges that messengers did come to the Children of Israel, despite which many of them (kathiran) (not all) still remained prodigal and committed excesses.
This is corroborated by other verses which cite some of these transgressions such as the slaughtering of their prophets / messengers. (2:61; 3:21; 3:112; 3:181; 3:183 4:155; 5:70).
However, the Quran also goes out of its way to make it clear that not all of the Jews were unrighteous:
007.159
"Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth."003:113-114
"Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand: They rehearse the verses of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten in good deeds: They are in the ranks of the righteous"005.066
"If only they had stood firmly by the Torah, the Gospel, and all the revelations that were sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil."Verse 5:33 is clearly a generic verse that applied not only to the People of the Book (Whether Jews or Christians), but also to the disbelievers, polytheists or anyone that wreaked havoc by waging war on the prophet and strived with might to cause corruption in the land. It was context specific. Please kindly note the argument from a Quran’s perspective that not all Christian and Jews were disbelievers and not all disbelievers were prepared to cause mischief in the land. Even the ultimatum in Surah 9 that is often
misquoted by critical corners and Islamic extremists alike, acknowledges these differences. Please see illustration
[1] shared below which attempts to elucidate this matter.
As you will no doubt appreciate, the Quran was revealed in a particular sectarian milieu with different, at times, warring factions. Hence it not only cited universal principles and edicts, it also dealt with specific circumstances that impacted the prophetic ministry.
Verses 5:33-34 and in particular, the expression
'qabli an taqdiru alayhim' (before you overpower them / fall into your power) and
'wayas'awna fil'ardi fasadan' (and strive in the land spreading corruption) implies some sort of early Islamic state powers or recognised borders in situ which were potentially being abused. The only exception is given to those who repented and mended their ways before they were captured. Exceptions are not noted for any particular group.
Thus the interpretation that this verse is applicable only to the Jews is wholly unwarranted even from the Quranic context, which is arguably the most authoritative text.
As I am sure you will appreciate, any sound interpretation must be sourced from the Quran foremost. One does remain extremely vigilant to interpretations sourced from overtly critical fringes of Islam, or from the agendas of Muslim extremists, both groups of which often quote verses out of proper context to fulfil their own personal and political motives.
I trust that this clarifies the matter from my humble perspective.
Regards,
Joseph
REFERENCES:[1] Understanding Surah Tauba (Chapter 9) and the Infamous 'Killing' Verseshttp://quransmessage.com/charts%20and%20illustrations/tauba/tauba-final-copyright.jpg[2] A MESSAGE OF PEACE OR TO LIVE BY THE SWORD?http://quransmessage.com/articles/a%20message%20of%20peace%20or%20to%20live%20by%20the%20sword%20FM3.htm